When the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Cup on Friday, it will not take place on the NBA Cup court, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. Techs from the league’s court vendor determined that the court is unplayable and sent it back to the vendors for repair.
The NBA Cup courts feature bright colors, team names and a trophy displayed on the court. Despite the different look this brings to NBA games, some players have not been pleased with how the court feels.
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Luka Dončić called the court slippery and dangerous after a 135-118 win over their cross-town rivals Los Angeles Clippers. Dončić finished the game with 43 points, 13 assists and 9 rebounds.
Lakers forward Rui Hachimura used the words bad, weird, slippery and oily to describe the court. Hachimura finished the game with 13 points.
No matter the court they play on, this will be a significant game. It will be the first time Mavericks center Anthony Davis will face the Lakers since being traded to the Mavericks in a blockbuster deal that sent Dončić to the Lakers last February. Davis has played 14 games since joining the team and has missed the previous 14 games this season due to a calf strain he suffered on Oct. 29.
Davis has averaged 20.8 points and 10.2 rebounds. Despite his productive numbers, his unavailability and the Mavericks’ 5-14 start have led to trade speculation.
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On the other side, Dončić and the Lakers have gotten off to a hot start. Dončić is the team’s leading scorer with 35.2 points per game, averaging 9.2 assists and 8.8 rebounds. The Lakers are 13-4 and second in the West.
This is the NBA’s third season of hosting an in-season tournament. The NBA Cup was first called the in-season tournament before changing the name to the Emirates NBA Cup last season. The Lakers were the in-season tournament champions in 2023.
The Lakers lead Group B of the Western Conference at 3-0 in the NBA Cup so far and have clinched a knockout round spot. The Mavericks are already eliminated from advancing to the knockout round and are 1-2 in the NBA Cup.
The semifinals take place on Dec. 13 and the championship game is on Dec. 16. The winner will get a trophy and prize money.